Learning to play the drums can be a difficult pursuit without the right mentorship. When you close your eyes and imagine yourself shredding a drum set to your favorite song, it is often far removed from reality, where it can be difficult to hold even the simplest of rhythms for a prolonged period of time.
This is why practice is so crucial when it comes to playing the drums, as it will likely take hundreds, if not thousands, of hours before you can make this vision a reality. With that said, this is a journey that can be made significantly easier with the help of the right drum teacher.
Luckily for you, there has never been a time when drum teachers have been more accessible than they are today. With all the options available to you when it comes to teachers and courses, it can be difficult to filter out the lessons that are most suitable for your level and goals.
In this article, we will walk you through how to find suitable drum teachers in your area and online so that you can take lessons that work best for you!
Decide Between In-Person and Online Lessons
When it comes to learning the instrument, there is one pressing question that you will want to start your search with. You will need to consider your learning preferences and ask yourself whether you would benefit more from In-person lessons or taking them online.
There is no right or wrong option here; it all boils down to preference, suitability, and availability!
While the advancements in online lessons have been exemplary over the years, they will never replace the hands-on, personalized experience that a dedicated instructor offers.
As a drummer at any level, having a mentor physically by your side and providing real-time feedback on your technique, posture, and timing is unmatched.
This will also help you avoid adopting any bad habits that will only become more difficult to shake as you progress with the instrument.
With that said, face-to-face classes often come with a heftier price tag compared to online lessons, and depending on where you live you might have a tougher time finding suitable lessons within proximity to you.
One of the main attractions of online drum lessons that attracts students in the same position as you is the convenience and flexibility it offers.
This even means that you can practice with an experienced teacher while using your own drum kit at home.
Drum lessons are also provided across online learning platforms such as Drumeo, Mike Lessons, or Drum Channel, where once you part ways with the subscription fee, you’ll have access to drum lessons given by some of the country's most accomplished musicians.
You can make a strong case for either option but ultimately it comes down to what will be most valuable to you. Discover where to take various drum lessons in Phoenix here.
Explore the Learning Options Available to You
If you are a beginner and feel like you need to have a watchful eye over your shoulder to pick up on any errors you might be making, or an experienced drummer who wants a teacher to be able to pick up on even the slightest imperfections then in-person lessons are likely for you.
Music Stores
The beauty of music stores is that you can find them scattered across just about any town or city. Most music stores will either have in-house instructors or facilitate external drum teachers to instruct students on how to play the instrument.
So, if you live in proximity to a music store, you should venture in and ask about the drum lessons they provide. You’ll just have to double-check that the class that you choose aligns with your skill level.
On top of that, music shops often organize events such as workshops, clinics, and expert-led classes that can also be more than beneficial for you to sit in on if the opportunity presents itself.
Community Centers
Community centers are another gem when it comes to finding drum lessons that are both affordable and easy to access. This is also something that many drummers overlook in their search for lessons but the resources they provide are perfect for beginner to intermediate learners.
If you stroll down to your nearest community center, you’ll likely find that not only are their lessons taking place each week, but there may even be options for group sessions as well as private lessons.
This is a great option if you like the idea of learning alongside others who are around the same skill level as you. Having a community that you can learn alongside each week can really add to your enjoyment of the learning process which may even reflect in how consistent you are in your studies.
Find more drum lessons in the US here on Superprof.
Music Schools
When you initially thought about where you might stumble upon drum lessons, the first idea that likely crossed your mind was at a music school. Well, there’s plenty of reason for this, as they offer learning programs ranging from introductory courses right up to full-time degrees.
If you are looking for potential schools to take your drum lessons at, Berklee College of Music Musicians Institute and Drummers Collective are two options that should be in any conversation when it comes to improving at the instrument.
These schools are renowned across the globe and go beyond merely focus on playing the instrument as their programs extend to cover important areas that often get neglected such as music theory and improvisation.
Online Platforms and Courses for Learning Drums
If you had told somebody twenty years ago that they could find a drum teacher on the internet, they would likely have stared back at you like you were crazy.
Now, fast forward to today, where not only is it something that is available but it is commonly perceived as the best or at least preferred option for many aspiring drummers.
It likely won’t take you more than a few clicks to get in touch with an experienced teacher, provided you know where to look, of course!
Berklee Online's 'Drum Set Performance 101'
If you are looking to go a step further than scouring your area for teachers, then you might be enticed by the learning experience offered at the Berklee College of Music.
They offer a highly regarded class titled 'Drum Set Performance 101', which is taught by some highly accomplished musicians.
So if you’re looking for a teacher with ability and experience to guide you through aspects like hand techniques, musicality, notation reading, coordination and repertoire exploration, then you might want to consider enrolling!
When it’s all said and done and you have finished learning from the experienced teachers that are involved in the program, you'll be well capable of authentically playing across a range of styles.
Udemy's 'Learn To Play The Drums' Course
When you think about learning just about any skill or subject, your brain likely immediately jumps to Udemy as a place to learn from experienced teachers.
Now, this is either the result of effective marketing or because the proof is in the pudding!
The course is run by Rohan Bumbra who you may already know from YouTube, he has a first-class honors degree in music and plenty of experience in performing and teaching. He has also performed at festivals and is an in-demand studio player!
The platform also offers the 'Master Drumming with Billy Baker' course which caters to drummers of any skill level whether you're just starting out or already advanced.
If you think about the teachers you are confined to learning from around your area, it’s not often you have the luxury of choosing from mentors as accomplished as Billy Baker.
So if you are looking to pick up some skills and work on areas that drummers tend to fall short on then you should consider getting started with this series of lessons.
You may also want to know about the cost of drum lessons.
Subscribing to Drumeo to Learn the Drums
If the idea of expert-led drumming courses appeals to you, then you might also want to take a look at Drumeo, a platform that focuses on helping students reach their goals with the instrument.
If the idea of video assistance through interactive Q&A sessions isn't something that seems entirely alien to you, then you might want to give it a try.
Since the platform offers a subscription model, if you find that you don’t get as much value from it as other teachers you’ve worked with in the past, you can always cancel after your free trial.
But given that it has such strong student testimonials, a friendly community environment along with the experienced teachers you are after, it definitely seems like an option too good to pass by!
Find out everything you need to know before taking drum lessons.
Learn from Drum Teachers on YouTube
If you think back to the last time you tried to find out how to do something or learn a new skill, YouTube was probably a focal point in the process.
If you are looking to integrate your learning into your lifestyle then watching expert teachers provide content that is tailored to your skill level is without question one of the most effective ways to improve at playing the instrument.
Channels such as Mikes Lessons, Drum Channel, and Austin Burcham's "Study the Greats" series provide an array of content covering topics from rudiments and techniques to recording and mixing advice.
Find out what type of equipment you need to play the drums.
Learn the Drums with a Superprof Tutor
Now you might be thinking, after reading our article, how on earth are you going to decide on the right teacher with so many options to choose from?
Well, Superprof is a platform that does most of the screening for you. The platform has a stringent vetting process that ensures that only the highest calibre of teachers are offering drum lessons on there.
One of the main things that you might want to look out for in order to find a teacher that is suitable for your learning goals is finding one that matches your preferred genre.
The styles of music you want to play will influence the choice of drum. Since not everyone plays every kind of drum, it is an important factor when choosing your drum instructor. Hand drums in ethnic music are not played like a jazz drum kit.
- Folk music usually focuses on hand drumming or frame drums such as the bodhran, or military snares.
- African drum music can involve hand or stick drumming - Djembe drums, for example, are hand drums while West African talking drums use a stick. African rhythms are very popular.
- Conga and bongo drums are used in Afro-Cuban music and modern Latin music.
- Orchestral drumming can involve kettle drums, bass drums or cymbals.
- Jazz or blues or funk use a version of a drum kit.
- Rock and heavy metal also use a drum set with a snare drum, tom-toms, kick drum and assorted cymbals.
- Big Band uses yet another version of the drum set.
- Marching bands have different types of drums, from tenor drums to bass drums to snare drums or cymbals.
Once you hit search on the homepage for drum teachers in your area or online, you will be able to filter your search even further according to your level, proximity and budget.
The risk of finding a teacher that you aren’t compatible with is eliminated when you consider the platform review system that allows you to see comments that have been left by past students, giving you a much-needed insight into the learning experience offered.
Hopefully, now you have a better sense of the options available to you when it comes to learning the drums and some actionable steps that will ensure that you find a tutor who is right for you!
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